Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It doesn’t have to be pretty to be good. The Pittsburgh Penguins cut out the silly, stupid mistakes and kept the puck away from the Seattle Kraken in a 3-0 win at PPG Paints Arena Monday.

It was the type of game that makes coaches happy, even if it doesn’t excite the fans. Goalie Tristan Jarry earned his fourth shutout this season, and Sidney Crosby scored a pair of goals in his season-long march with the team on his back.

Must Read — PHN+ Penguins Grades: The Complete Opposite, Pens Take Different Approach

The Penguins’ performance was a 180-degree change from the loose, mistake-filled overtime loss to the Carolina. Coach Mike Sullivan and defenseman Marcus Pettersson were pleased with the change.

“We weren’t happy with the way we played — just taking too many chances against Carolina,” Pettersson said Monday. “And I think it was the complete opposite today. So, hopefully, we can build on it.”

The Penguins outshot Seattle 33-22, and it was the team’s fifth shutout this season. The win also elevated the Penguins to the eighth-best winning percentage (.573), which would be good enough for a playoff spot.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Jets eliminate Blues in instant classic double OT Game 7 win
Buddy Hield lifts Warriors to massive Game 7 win over Rockets
Pacers use balanced attack vs. Cavaliers to steal home-court advantage
Fever's Caitlin Clark dazzles in preseason debut vs. Brazil
Scottie Scheffler wins CJ Cup Byron Nelson in historic fashion
Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka wins first tournament in four years
Watch: Giants' Willy Adames catches fire vs. Rockies
Joey Logano wins wild Wurth 400 at Texas in NASCAR overtime 
Why did Browns take Dillon Gabriel before Shedeur Sanders in draft and how could it affect their QB competition?
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis reacts to facing Knicks in playoffs
Jalen Ramsey linked to notable NFC team
Why Bayern Munich's 33rd Bundesliga title should be even sweeter for Harry Kane
Chiefs sign first-round pick OT Josh Simmons to rookie deal
Rangers make coaching-staff shakeup amid offensive struggles
Troubling report emerges about Texans WR Tank Dell's knee injury
Key Blues defenseman to miss Game 7 vs. Jets
Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek to undergo core muscle surgery
'It makes sense': Steelers see new Aaron Rodgers conspiracy theory emerge as team waits for 2025 decision
Jets offer key injury updates ahead of Game 7
Bill Belichick reportedly considering big career move